Automatic flow regulator



Nov. 24 1925. 1,562,508 H. G. JOHNSON AUTOMATI C FLOW REGULATOR Filed July}, 1925 if 6102/2776 0m,

61cm nag Patented Nov. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES HARRY G. JOHNSON, 0F GALVA. ILLINOIS.

AUTOIIIATIC FLOVJ REGULATOR.

Application filed July 2.

To all 1071 am it may concern.

Be it known that I, HARRY G. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Galva. in the county of Henry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Automatic Flow Regulator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device which may be referred to as an automatic flow regulator, that is, a device which serves to regulate the flow of water to a watering trough or the like so that when the water in the trough reaches a predetermined level, the supply will be automatically cut off.

Briefly, the invention has reference to float controlled means which is mounted on a wall of the trough in a manner to act on a flexible connection which is connected with the carburetor of an internal combustion engine used for operating the water pump, the float controlled device coming into play at a predetermined time and operating upon the flexible connection to choke the carburetor and stop the engine.

The particular details utilized for obtain ing this result will be made apparent upon reading the following description in connection with the drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of the application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a view showing av fragment of an internal combustion engine, a portion of a watering trough, and the automatic engine control means in association with these parts.

nigure 2 is a detail sectional and elevational view of an attachment for the engine carburetor.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the means for mounting the major detail of the structure upon the wall of the waterin trough.

In the drawing, the reference character 1 designates one end wall of the watering trough, tank, or other container for water. The reference character 2 refers generally to an appropriate internal combustion engine which is utilized for operating a pump (not shown) ordinarily used for pumping water into the trough. While on the engine it could be noted that the reference character 3 designates the carburetor, and 4 indicates a lubricant container. In accordance with 1925. Serial No. $1,136.

the present invention, a bracket 5 is fastened to one end of the cylinder block, and this bracket carries a pulley 6 at its top over which an auxiliary cable 7 is trained. thi-' auxiliarv cable bein connected with means 8 for controlling the valve in the lubricant container 4 at the time the engine is stopped. The depending portion 9 of the main cable 10 is detachably connected with the split ring 11 shown more clearly in l igure 2. As before intimated this ring is fastened upon a valve stem 12 leading; from the carburetor and when it is turned a predetermined distance, it serves-to close the valve and to choke the carburetor. I would call attention to the fact that the ring 11 is of resilient material so that it may be adapted to fit upon slightly varying valve stem heads. Also, it is substantially channel shaped in cross section and a portion of the depending part of the cable is wrapped around it. and the free end of the cable is formed with a knot. the knot being detachablv seated in a notch 12 formed in the bottom of the channel.

Mounted on the end. wall 1 of the trough is a vertical tubular casing 13 into which the other end portion 14 of the cable 10 depends. A coiled spring 15 is anchored in the lower portion of this casino; and the free end of the part 14 of the cable is connected thereto. The upper end of the casing is formed with a stamped annular rib 16, and the intermediate portion of the casing is formulated into an appropriate housing 17. A lever 18 is mounted in this housing, and one end 19 has loose sliding connection with the cable. Also mounted in the housing is a bell crank 20, one arm of which is formed to provide a hooked latch to engage with the opposite end of the lever. The other arm carries a depending float 21 which is reciprocable in a depending sleeve 22. It is yet to be pointed out that a small bushing 23 is fitted rotatably into the upper end of the tubular casing, and rests upon the rib 16. This bushing carries a pullev 24: over which the cable is trained. The purpose is to allow the pulley to be disposed. at any angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the casing to accommodate various positions of the engine with respect to trough or the tanks. In some instances the trough will be in the approximate relation shown, while in others it may be off to one side, and the provision of the turnable bushing allows the cable to be properly trained over the pulleys without placing too much strain and causing binding.

With the arrangement of parts shown and described it is obvious that when the water in the tank assumes a certain level, it will lift upwardly upon the float 21. In so doing it will rock the bell crank upon its pivot. Inasmuch as the bell crank is formulated with a latch, this will be disconnected from the lever 18. By freeing the lever, the coil spring will exert a downward pull upon the cable, drawing it over the several pulleys and serving to rotate the split ring 11 to which it is connected, thus closing the carburetor valve and stopping the engine. At the same time, the lubricating device 4 will be rendered inoperative through the medium of the auxiliary cable.

While the device has been shown and described as used in association with a watering trough, it is to be understood that it is not in any sense to be restricted to this particular use, for it is equally well adapted for use with a tank containing, liquid of any kind wherein the level of the liquid is employed for acting on float control means to render a pump or the like inoperative. I am well aware of the fact that this general proposition is broadly old, but, the particular construction and arrangement. of parts herein shown and described is seemingly novel, and such that it renders the device an improvement upon prior patented and marketed structures of this class. I

It is thought that by considering the de scription in connection with the drawings, persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same. For this reason a more lengthy description is unnecessary.

Vhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may beresorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In a structure of the class described,

a tubular casing, a coiled spring located in and anchored in said: casing, a rockably mounted lever having one end projecting into said casing, a float controlled latch in association with said lever, a flexible element having one end connected to said spring said lever being connected at one end to said flexible element.

2. In an automatic flow regulator of the kind described, a tubular casing, a coiled spring anchored in said casing, a. bushing rotatable in said casing, a pulley carried by said bushing, the intermediate portion of said casing being formulated to provide a housing, a latch pivoted in said housing, a lever pivoted in said housing and cooperative with said latch, and a float connected with said latch.

3. In a flow regulator of the class described, means adapted to be connected with a part of an engine whereby upon rotation of said means, the engine will be stopped, a flexible element connected with said means, a tubular casing, said flexible element hav ing one end depending into said casing, a

coiled spring located in said casing, said,

flexible element being connected to said spring, a bushing rotatable in said casing, a pulley carried by said bushing, said flexible element being trained over said pulley,

a rockably mounted lever having one end projecting into said casing and connected with said flexible element, a bell crank, means for pivotally mounting the bell crank, said bell crank having one arm provided with a hook forming a latch for detachable connection with one end of said lever, and a float connected with the other arm of said bell crank.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signa ture.

' HARRY G. JOHNSON. 

